17 September 1895 - DADA Classroom

“Alright, second years to the left and first years to the right,” Gus instructed, waving his hand in the direction they should be going as he spoke. He knew some of them would moan and groan (“Why does Professor Lissington always make us work?” He heard one of them mutter as they moved to their respective spot), but without practice there was no point in learning it; having just read about a spell wasn’t going to help them be able to actually perform them. They'd spent the last couple weeks going over the fundamentals - the motions, the incantation and how to cast it, and now today they'd be actually putting it to use.

“First years, you will be using the shield charm, protego to defend yourselves as your second year peers attack you.” He smiled at them before turning his attention toward his older students. “Second years, you may use any spell you learned last year in this class. Try not to harm them too much.”

Gus moved out of the way, motioning for them to begin.

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You can either fire a spell or use a protection spell against someone in particular, or just make it a general post. I’ll be rolling for success!
Charms Skill: Terribad/Below Level/At Level/Above Level/Best Kid

FYI:Ariel Sherington Selene Gallivan Lysander Echelon Ramona Pendergast Kaatjie Dempsey Pip Manwaring Charles Hutton Margaery Lockhart Cassandra Eade Lilibet Meadows Regina Pendergast Alys Gower Kermit Escher Poppy MacFusty Phineas Black II Jameson Potter Georgianna Shacklebolt Chloe Greene Caroline Weasley Silas Merlion Jocasta Flint Cressida Rosier Hermia Pucey Chiara di Visconti Arcturus Black Leo Lupin Caspian Pettigrew Connor Sinnet Ellen Ilkin

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Learn how to earn HP as a DADA Student and/or Hufflepuff

Cassie was most looking forward to this class, after the first couple weeks of learning, she was...somewhat confident. Still, she was nervous, regardless. She didn't know what her partner in the class might cast.

"Protego!"

Charms Skill: At Level

The following 1 user Likes Cassandra Eade's post:1 user Likes Cassandra Eade's post
   Gus Lissington

Chloe really wanted to try and knock back jinx she bad almost gotten it down at the end of last year but the poor little first year looked nervous. So instead Chloe cast a smokescreen spell instead at Cassandra Eade

Charms Skill: Above Level

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   Gus Lissington

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Connor eyed up the first year who'd ended up standing across from him, finding it kind of funny that they got to use the new students as their guinea pigs. (He studied enough to know last year's spells, but he suspected this could go badly for some of the more useful forgetful people in his year and their poor partners.) “Petrificus Totalus,” Connor cast, not about to go gentle on them just because.

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Charms skill: At Level

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   Gus Lissington

Leni eyed her defense partner a trifle warily. While they had gone over the basics over the past few weeks, which Leni had found vastly interesting - who knew that there was more to casting a spell than moving your hands and saying a few words! - and was eager to put it to use, the fact that she didn't know what spell her opponent was going to use put a slight damper on her enthusiasm. And he didn't look the type to go easy on her either.

Perhaps a little too hasty in her anticipation, Leni cast, "Protego!" at Connor Sinnet's full-body bind.

Charms Skill: At Level

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   Gus Lissington

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The students were to use spells on each other? Poppy swallowed her fear (though it was written all over her face) as she faced her opponent. She'd been entirely unprepared when they threw their spell at her. She squeaked, tucking her arms tightly against her chest (along with her wand), as she rushed out a self-conscious, "Protego?!"

Charms Skill: Above Level

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   Gus Lissington

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Club Membership in: Astronomy • Flying • Charms • Book • Quidditch

Adorably sweet set by the amazing Lady!

Back at school again, and for as horrible as the summer had been, Ellie felt none of the fear which had haunted her first year there. She wasn't used to magic, exactly. Still jumped out of her skin whenever something started floating which aught not to, but she had come to love it. Come to love Hogwarts, particularly when compared to the Home. Since returning she had been burrowed into her books like never before, refreshing everything she'd learned the previous year.

Several spells came to mind as she looked across at her wide-eyed First Year opponent. All seemed entirely too cruel, so she settled resolutely upon a Tickling Charm. That, at least, could do no lasting harm.

"Rictusempra!"

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   Gus Lissington

Gia has bounced the whole way to class today. She found that DADA - she learned that older students called it that, and now would be silly to call it anything else - was extremely fun. She'd loved her experience dueling and practicing shields for the first time. Now, in her second year, she could set an example. Gia was honored without being asked.

Stepping up and awaiting the next first year, Gia curtsied politely. She raised her wand and, just on the verge of casting, she paused and looked around at her younger classmate. It wasn't fair to attack without giving them some sort of assistance. "It can be frightening when a spell his your shield. It can be loud and bright or lots of other things. Just believe you can block me and you'll be fine, alright? Oh, and if I get past your shield, it's okay to let go of your wand. It's going to feel like a very strong pull."

Gia took a step back and raised her wand, the second between instruction and strike very, very minimal. "Expelliarmus!" She darted forward, dueling, reminding her more and more of dance.

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Charms Skill: Above Level +

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   Gus Lissington

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Look what Lady did!

Well, what they didn’t know was how this was a good way for Gus to determine what spells the second years remembered and what spells he probably needed to focus on more. He knew the first years probably weren’t thrilled, but hey, practice makes perfect.

Miss Greene’s smokescreen spell was a success against Miss Eade, whose silhouette wavered in the haze. It was alright; she could try again. Gus cleared the smoke. “Excellent Miss Greene.” He smiled. “Miss Eade, that was a good attempt! Be a little more confident in your incantation.” She could get it next time, he knew it.

Mr. Sinnet was clearly not in the mood to play games as he cast his full body binding spell, however Miss Gallivan was able to protect herself. Her shield snapped up just in time, the green shimmer catching the curse mid-flight. The force of it cracked against the barrier and fizzled out. Gus nodded. “Good job Mr. Sinnet, Miss Gallivan.”

Miss Ilkin cast Rictusempra, and Miss MacFusty, despite her squeaking and questionable incantation, was able to protect herself. The spell hit but the barrier held before the charm sputtered against it and died. “Effective. Though if you want your opponent to take you seriously, Miss MacFusty, try saying it like you mean it.” He turned his gaze back toward the Slytherin. “And good choice, Miss Ilkin.” The Tickling Charm was simple, but Gus knew not to underestimate it.

Miss Shacklebolt cast the disarming spell at a terrified first year, who was unable to even cast Protego in time. “Excellent Miss Shacklebolt!” He called out, watching as the first year’s wand went flying out of their hand. They turned toward Gus who nodded for them to go retrieve it.

His eyes flicked back to the room at large. “Remember, the spell doesn’t have to be flashy to work. It only has to land.”

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Cassandra Eade - Chloe Greene
Selene Gallivan - Connor Sinnet
Poppy MacFusty - Ellen Ilkin
NPC - Georgianna Shacklebolt

If you haven't posted yet but would like to, feel free to chime in still!

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Learn how to earn HP as a DADA Student and/or Hufflepuff

With the professor's encouragement, Cassie nodded and took a deep, steadying breath once the haze cleared, focusing on her determination. She wanted to succeed here. She didn't want to disappoint anyone. Especially not her head of house. When given the cue, she cast again as Chloe Greene spoke her next incantation, her voice stronger this time — "Protego!"

A defensive spell, she could do that, always handy when you have a murderous ghost chasing you around the world.

"Protego" she cast in reaction to the second year opposite her.

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Gus Lissington

Skill at charms (defensive) excellent for her age

  

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Being the target of flying spells hadn't been on Kermit's list of goals for his first year. Of course it made sense he would be, but he could have waited. Would have loved to wait until he knew more than a single incantation with any sort of certainty. More importantly, he'd have liked to wait until he got a handle on his wand. A hand-me-down like his books, like his robes, but unlike them his wand seemed to have taken a distinct and personal dislike to Kermit Escher. Not once yet had he managed to cast a spell which did not backfire spectacularly in his face.

But he had to try. He was going to fail in his very first year, if he didn't get a hold of it.

"P-protego!" Kermit stammered as his opponent raised his wand, just praying his wand would decide to cooperate instead of chucking something else at him. Or exploding.

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Skill Level: Unknown, but severely hampered by a wand directly opposed to his nature. Very few spells go well. Most go terribly.

  

Gia smiled kindly at her new housemate. Hogwarts hadn't been scary to her, but Gia could understand. She'd remember to talk to him after class. For now, it was time to practice. "Expelliarmus!'

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Charms Skill: Above Level +

  

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Look what Lady did!

Somehow, she'd managed to block Ellen's spell. Poppy's cheeks reddened as Professor Lissington addressed her, nodding her understanding. Right. She could do this. Nothing bad had happened the last time and she'd been even more frightened then (not that she wasn't now.) Upon the signal, and with a bit more oomph, she pointed her wand at her opponent and said the first spell that came to mind, "Flipendo!" The knockback jinx. She hoped Ellen wouldn't be upset with her if it worked.

  

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Club Membership in: Astronomy • Flying • Charms • Book • Quidditch

Adorably sweet set by the amazing Lady!

Oh, Charlie was excited to show off some of the spells he'd learned last year! Facing the first year, he raised his wand and decided to cast something easy on the poor kid who was stuttering. "Expelliarmus!"

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Well, that round had gone better than he expected it to.

He couldn’t recall what Mr. Sinnet had decided to throw at Miss Gallivan this time around, but whatever it was hit the young girl, sending her stumbling backward. In fact the same was true for Miss Ilkin, who was pushed backward into when Miss MacFusty’s spell hit as it should. At least Miss Gallivan and Miss Ilkin were on opposite sides or they might have collided. “Good job!” Gus said to them, giving a small nod of approval.

It seemed everyone else had gone for the same spell – Expelliarmus. Miss Eade was able to throw up her shield, causing the spell to sizzle harmlessly against the stone wall behind her. Miss Flint, too, was successful against Miss Shacklebolt, keeping her wand in her hand. Mr. Escher wasn’t as lucky, as Mr. Hutton’s spell hit its mark and sent his wand flying across the room.

“Excellent work everyone. One more round before we go over your homework.” Gus was very proud of them and the effort they were putting in. He knew which students would need the extra help, and he could focus on them as the year went on.

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If you still want to join, feel free! I'll either pair with someone or do an NPC student :)
Cassandra Eade - Chloe Greene (dodge)
Selene Gallivan - Connor Sinnet (hit)
Poppy MacFusty - Ellen Ilkin (hit)
Jocasta Flint - Georgianna Shacklebolt (dodge)
Kermit Escher - Charles Hutton (hit)

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Learn how to earn HP as a DADA Student and/or Hufflepuff